Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 3.djvu/387

advisers. The whigs were at that time out of all credit or consideration. The reigning favourites had always carried what were called the tory principles, at least as high as our constitution could bear; and most others in great employments were wholly in the church interest. These last, among whom were several persons of the greatest merit, quality, and consequence, were not able to endure the many instances of pride, insolence, avarice, and ambition, which those favourites began so early to discover, nor to see them presuming to be sole dispensers of the royal favour. However, their opposition was to no purpose; they wrestled with too great a power, and were soon crushed under it. For, those in possession, finding they could never be quiet in their usurpations, while others had any credit, who were at least upon an equal foot of merit, began to make overtures to the discarded whigs, who would be content with any terms of accommodation. Thus commenced this solemn league and covenant, which has ever since been cultivated with so much application. The great traders in money were wholly devoted to the whigs, who had first raised them. The army, the court, and the treasury, continued under the old despotick administration: the whigs were received into employment, left to manage the parliament, cry down the landed interest, and worry the church. Mean time, our allies, who were not ignorant that all this artificial structure had no true foundation in the hearts of the people, resolved to make the best use of it as long as it should last. And the general's credit being raised to a great height at home, by our success in Flanders, the Dutch began their gradual impositions; lessening

their